Yarn beam rack

ABSTRACT

A yarn beam rack incorporating a system for applying a braking torque to the axles of each supported beam which automatically diminishes as the yarn is withdrawn from the beam such that the yarn tension required to rotate the beam and thereby withdraw the yarn remains substantially constant. The rack may also include a chain conveyor system for automatically loading and unloading a number of beams without the use of auxiliary lifting trucks or hoists.

United States Patent Cobble 51 Oct. 10, 1972 YARN BEAM RACK [72] Inventor: James T. Cobble, Dalton, Ga.

[73] Assignee: B & .1 Machinery Co., Inc., Dalton,

[22] Filed: April 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 136,711

[52] US. Cl ..242/l29.8, 214/100 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 49/00 [58] Field of Search ..242/55.3, 129.8, 54, 55;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,590,384 3/1952 Dent et al. ..242/55.3

Petty ..242/55.3

2,833,487 5/1958 2,921,688 l/l960 Riemenschneider ..21 H2 2,994,939 8/ l 961 Matthews ..28/42 Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Attorney-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT A yarn beam rack incorporating a system for applying a braking torque to the axles of each supported beam which automatically diminishes as the yarn is withdrawn from the beam such that the yarn tension required to rotate the beam and thereby withdraw the yarn remains substantially constant. The rack may also include a chain conveyor system for automatically loading and unloading a number of beams without the use of auxiliary lifting trucks or hoists.

l0 Clains, l 1 Drawing Figures P'A'TENTEBnm 10 1912 I SHEET 3 IJF 3 YARN BEAM RACK The present invention relates to a yarn beam rack adapted to support a plurality of yarn beans in a generally vertical arrangement adjacent a yarn processing apparatus, such as a tufting machine. More particularly, the invention relates to a yarn beam rack or supporting apparatus which is adapted to easily and quickly load and unload a number of beams, and which is adapted to apply a braking torque to the axles of each supported beam which is a function of the weight of the yarn thereon, such that the tension required to withdraw the yarn from the beam remains substantially constant as the yarn is withdrawn.

It is common in many textile processing operations to position a multitude of yarns on a section beam from which the yarns are withdrawn for subsequent treatment or processing. Typically, a supporting rack is loaded with a number of section beams, and the yarns from all of the beams are combined to form a warp which may then, for example, be treated in a slashing operation, or processed in a tufting machine. In all such cases it is necessary to provide some means for applying a braking force to the rotating beams in order to ensure the desired tension in the warp yarns, and also to prevent the beams from overrunning when the associated apparatus slows or is brought to a stop. Presently, such braking force is provided by placing a weighted rope or band around one or both heads of the beams to frictionally engage peripheral grooves provided for this purpose. As will be apparent, this procedure results in a constant braking force being applied to the rotating beams, and thus the tension in the warp yarns will necessarily increase as the yarn is withdrawn since the yarn pull, or lever arm, shortens and moves closer to the center of the beam as the yarn is withdrawn. The resulting increase in yarn tension is extremely undesirable in tufting operations since the tension must remain substantially constant to maintain a constant loop height.

In loading conventional yarn beam racks, it is generally required that a fork lift truck or hoist be employed to lift the beams into position on the supporting structure. This, of course is a time consuming operation, during both the loading and unloading operation, and substantially reduces the available time for operating the associated equipment. Thus, the overall efficiency is reduced.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a yarn beam supporting apparatus which is adapted to apply a braking torque to the axles of a supported beam which is a function of the weight of the yarn on the beam and thus diminishes as the yarn is withdrawn.

It is another object of this invention to provide a yarn beam rack wherein the tension required to rotate a supported beam and to withdraw the yarn therefrom remains substantially constant as the yarn is withdrawn and as the yarn pull moves closer to the center of the beam.

It is another object of this invention to provide a yarn beam rack which permits easy loading and unloading of the beams without utilizing auxiliary equipment, and which occupies a minimum of floor space.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a yarn beam rack which is adapted to automatically lift the beams from the supporting ground surface and position the same in a generally vertical arrangement, and to subsequently lower the beans such that they are automatically released upon reaching the supporting surface.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a yarn beam rack which employs substantially dry leather brake linings to frictionally engage the axles of the beans, and which does not require the use of grease or other lubricants at the beam axles which might contaminate the yarn or resulting fabric.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in the embodiments of the invention illustrated herein by the provision of a yarn beam supporting apparatus which includes a structural framework, and a pair of spaced horizontally aligned carriers secured to the framework for receiving and supporting the beam axles. The carriers each comprise an upwardly facing semi-cylindrical shoe and an outer semi-cylindrical, substantially dry, leather lining, with the shoes and linings being aligned such that the axles of a supported beam are adapted to rest upon and be frictionally engaged by the leather linings. In one specific embodiment, the structural framework includes a pair of parallel rails which are laterally spaced from each other a distance sufficient to accommodate the yarn beam therebetween, and which extend to a position below the level of the axles of a beam positioned on the adjacent supporting ground surface. The rails each mount an endless chain conveyor extending substantially along the full length thereof, and the carriers are secured to the conveyors. An electric motor is provided for translating the conveyors such that the carriers are adapted to engage the axles of a beam resting on the adjacent supporting surface and lift the beam upwardly onto the rails. The electric motor may then be reversed to lower the beam back to the supporting surface and automatically release the same. In another specific embodiment, the rails include rigid outwardly inclined arms defining V-shaped interconnections, and brackets are fixedly connected at the interconnections which are adapted to releasably mount the associated shoes and linings.

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a yarn beam rack embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an overhead plan view illustrating the manner in which a number of yarn beam racks of the type shown in FIG. 1 may be positioned adjacent a yarn procesing apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view from the front side of the rack shown in FIG. 1, and with a plurality of beams loaded thereon;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a yarn beam rack embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view looking in the direction of arrow 9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an overhead plan of the structure shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded and fragmentary side elevational view taken substantially along the line llll in FIG. 10.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a yarn beam rack which includes a framework generally comprising a pair of upstanding right triangular sections 22 and 23 and an interconnecting horizontalwalkway 24. The components 26 and 28, which constitute the hypotenuse of the sections 22 and 23 respectively, each mount an upwardly inclined rail 30 and 32 which generally follows the inclination of the associated section component. As best seen in FIG. 4, the rail 30 comprises a pair of spaced oppositely facing U-shaped channels 34 and 35 which define a spaced pair of upper supporting surfaces 36, 37 and an open pathway 38 therebetween. An angled cover plate 39 extends along the outside edge of surface 36 for protective purposes as will become apparent. It will be ap preciated that the rail 32 is of a similar construction.

The two rails 30 and 32 are laterally spaced a distance sufficient to accommodate a yarn beam therebetween as seen in FIG. 3. Also, they define a loading end as seen in FIG. 7 which extends upwardly from a point somewhat below the level of the axles 42 of a yarn beam 44 resting upon the adjacent supporting surface 46. In the embodiment illustrated, the rails extend upwardly a distance sufficient to accommodate six beams in a generally vertical arrangement.

The rails 30 and 32 each mount a pair of cooperating sprockets 48 and 49, with one sprocket being positioned adjacent each of the ends thereof. An endless chain conveyor 50 extends about each of the sprockets,

and thus the chains extend substantially along the full length of the associate rail. The two sprockets 48 at the loading end are connected via the drive chains 52, 53 to the gear box 54 and reversible electric motor 56. Thus the motor 56 is adapted to translate the chains at a uniform speed in either direction for the purposes set forth below.

A plurality of carriers 60 are mounted in spaced relation along each chain conveyor, with the carriers of one conveyor being horizontally aligned with associated carriers on the other conveyor. The carriers 60 are mounted to the chain by the arrangement best seen in FIG. 6, and which includes a block 62 having a depending guide portion 64 adapted to be positioned in the pathway 38 as seen in FIG. 4. An arcuate shoe 66, which is semi-cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment, is secured to the forward portion of the block 62 by any suitable arrangement, such as welding, and a substantially dry semi-cylindrical leather lining 68 is conforrningly received in the shoe to define an upwardly facing arcuate surface. As will be apparent, the shoes 66 and linings 68 of associated carriers are horizontally aligned such that they are adapted to supportingly receive and frictionally engage the axles 42 of a yarn beam 44.

The block 62 of the carrier 60 further includes a transverse aperture 70 adapted to receive a pin 72 for mounting a pair of rollers 73, 74 as seen in FIG. 4. The rollers 73, 74 together with the lower edge of the shoe 66, define a lower abutment surface which is adapted to contact the surfaces 36 and 37 of the rail, such that the weight of a supported beam is transferred from the carriers directly to the channels 34, 35 and thus the rails 30 and 32. The rollers 73, 74 serve to facilitate movement of the carrier along the surfaces during lifting and lowering of the beams.

Viewing FIG. 7, it will be apparent that the yarn beams 44 may be sequentially loaded onto the rack by rolling the beams to a position adjacent the lower ends of the rails, with the beam axles 42 being positioned immediately above the lowermost carrier 60. Upon actuation of the motor 56 in its first direction, the chain will be translated counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 7 such that the lowermost pair of aligned carriers 60 receives and lifis the beam upwardly along the rails. When the first beam is raised to a preselected elevation, a second beam is rolled into position and lifted in the same manner. This process continues until the maximum number of beams (six as shown in FIG. 3) is positioned thereon. When it is desired to unload the beams, the process is reversed by changing the direction of the motor 56 such that the chains 50 operate in a clockwise direction. Thus as the beams are lowered and as each contacts the supporting surface 46, it is automatically released from the carriers and is free to be rolled away.

In FIG. 8, there is shown a yarn beam rack which comprises a pair of upwardly inclined spaced parallel rails 81, 82, with each rail including a number of rigid outwardly extending arms 84 to define a like number of V-shaped interconnections. An upwardly directed semi-cylindrical bracket 86 is fixedly connected, as by welding, at each interconnection, and each bracket 86 includes a central aperture 88 adapted to freely receive a threaded member 89. The threaded member 89 is adapted to engage the threaded aperture 90 in the semi-cylindrical shoe 91 to releaseably secure the shoe to the bracket. The shoe 91 in turn carries a leather lining 92 secured thereto by rivets 94 or other suitable means, with the lining 92 being configured substantially as described above with reference to the lining 68. As will be apparent, the shoes 91 and linings 92 are horizontally aligned along the rails such that the axles of a number of beams may be simultaneously supported and frictionally engaged thereby, and the shoes and linings may be easily replaced upon the linings becoming worn by releasing the threaded member 89. In this embodiment, the beams are preferably positioned on the rack by means of a fork lift truck or the like.

In each of the above embodiments, the axles of the supported beams are frictionally engaged by the substantially dry leather linings of the associated carriers. Surprisingly, it has been found that this frictional force, and thus the braking torque transmitted to the rotating axles, are a function of the weight of the yarn on the beam and that the tension required to withdraw the yarn from the beam remains substantially constant as the yarn is withdrawn. In other words, the braking torque is diminished as the yarn is withdrawn, and this diminished torque substantially compensates for the reduced lever arm at which the pull of the yarn is exerted on the beam. it will also be appreciated that the above described yarn beam racks occupy a minimum of floor space by positioning the beams in a generally vertical arrangement, and, as seen in FIG. 2, a number of racks may be positioned closely adjacent a tufting machine 96 or other similar apparatus to make efficient use of the available space and to facilitate loading and unloading from one direction.

In the drawings and specification, there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for supporting a yarn beam or the like in a predetermined arrangement above a supporting surface and in operative position adjacent a yarn processing apparatus, said apparatus characterized as being adapted to easily and quickly load and unload the beam without utilizing auxiliary equipment and comprising a supporting framework including a pair of spaced parallel rails and defining a loading end,

conveying means for supportingly engaging the axles of a beam and for loading and unloading the same onto the framework and including an endless conveyor carried along each of said rails and means for translating both of said conveyors in either direction, that portion of said conveying means at said loading end being positioned at a predetermined elevation relative to the supporting surface such that the axles of a beam resting on the supporting surface may be automatically engaged to load the same onto the framework upon translation of said conveyors in one direction and automatically released upon translation in the opposite direction.

2. An apparatus for supporting a plurality of yarn beams or the like in a predetermined arrangement above a supporting surface and in operative position adjacent a yarn processing apparatus, said apparatus characterized as being adapted to easily and quickly load and unload the beams without utilizing auxiliary equipment and comprising a supporting framework including a pair of elongated parallel rails defining a loading end, said rails being laterally spaced a distance sufficient to accommodate a yarn beam therebetween and said loading end being positioned at an elevation below the level of the axles of a yarn beam resting upon the adjacent supporting surface,

an endless conveyor extending along substantially the full length of each rail,

a plurality of carriers mounted in spaced relation along each conveyor with the carriers of one conveyor being horizontally aligned with associated carriers on the other conveyor, each of said carriers including an upwardly facing arcuate surface such that each pair of horizontally aligned carriers is adapted to cooperatively receive and support the axles of a beam thereon, and

means for translating both of said conveyors in either direction whereby a yarn beam may be rolled along the supporting surface to a position adjacent the 1 din end of sai fr work and lift d t the rails b? a coopera ng gair of carriers 25111231) sequently lowered back to the supporting surface and automatically released by a reversal of said translating means.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 wherein said arcuate surface of each carrier comprises a substantially dry leather lining adapted to frictionally engage the axles of a supported beam and thereby exert a braking torque which is a function of the weight of the yarn on the beam and thus diminishes as the yarn is withdrawn.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said rails are upwardly inclined and each rail comprises a pair of spaced oppositely facing U-shaped channels defining a spaced pair of upper supporting surfaces and an open pathway therebetween, and each of said carriers includes a depending guide portion adapted to be positioned in said open pathway and a lower abutment surface adapted to engage said supporting surfaces whereby the weight of a supported beam is transferred from the carriers directly to said channels.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said endless conveyors are connected to the guide portions of the associated carriers such that at least a portion of said conveyors are positioned within the associated pathway.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said endless conveyors each comprise a chain, and a cooperating sprocket is carried adjacent each end of each rail for mounting the associated chain.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said lower abutment surface of each carrier includes a pair of spaced rollers, with one roller adapted to engage each of said supporting surfaces to facilitate movement of the carrier therealong.

8. A supporting apparatus for a yarn beam or the like characterized as being adapted to apply a braking torque to the axles of a supported beam which is a function of the weight of yarn on the beam such that the tension required to withdraw the yarn from the beam remains substantially constant as the yarn is withdrawn therefrom, said supporting apparatus comprising a structural framework including a pair of spaced parallel rails, and

a carrier carried by each of said rails, each of said carriers including an upwardly facing arcuate shoe and an outer arcuate substantially dry leather lining conforrningly received in said shoe, said shoes and linings being horizontally aligned such that the axles of a beam may be supported and frictionally engaged thereby.

9. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said carriers each include an upwardly directed arcuate bracket fixedly secured to said rails, and wherein said shoes are releasably secured to their associated brackets by a releasable threaded member such that the shoes and linings may be easily replaced upon the linings becoming worn.

10. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said rails are upwardly inclined and each of said rails includes a rigid outwardly inclined arm defining a V-shaped interconnection, said brackets being fixedly connected to said rails at said interconnection. 

1. An apparatus for supporting a yarn beam or the like in a predetermined arrangement above a supporting surface and in operative position adjacent a yarn processing apparatus, said apparatus characterized as being adapted to easily and quickly load and unload the beam without utilizing auxiliary equipment and comprising a supporting framework including a pair of spaced parallel rails and defining a loading end, conveying means for supportingly engaging the axles of a beam and for loading and unloading the same onto the framework and including an endless conveyor carried along each of said rails and means for translating both of said conveyors in either direction, that portion of said conveying means at said loading end being positioned at a predetermined elevation relative to the supporting surface such that the axles of a beam resting on the supporting surface may be automatically engaged to load the same onto the framework upon translation of said conveyors in one direction and automatically Released upon translation in the opposite direction.
 2. An apparatus for supporting a plurality of yarn beams or the like in a predetermined arrangement above a supporting surface and in operative position adjacent a yarn processing apparatus, said apparatus characterized as being adapted to easily and quickly load and unload the beams without utilizing auxiliary equipment and comprising a supporting framework including a pair of elongated parallel rails defining a loading end, said rails being laterally spaced a distance sufficient to accommodate a yarn beam therebetween and said loading end being positioned at an elevation below the level of the axles of a yarn beam resting upon the adjacent supporting surface, an endless conveyor extending along substantially the full length of each rail, a plurality of carriers mounted in spaced relation along each conveyor with the carriers of one conveyor being horizontally aligned with associated carriers on the other conveyor, each of said carriers including an upwardly facing arcuate surface such that each pair of horizontally aligned carriers is adapted to cooperatively receive and support the axles of a beam thereon, and means for translating both of said conveyors in either direction whereby a yarn beam may be rolled along the supporting surface to a position adjacent the loading end of said framework and lifted onto the rails by a cooperating pair of carriers and subsequently lowered back to the supporting surface and automatically released by a reversal of said translating means.
 3. The structure defined in claim 2 wherein said arcuate surface of each carrier comprises a substantially dry leather lining adapted to frictionally engage the axles of a supported beam and thereby exert a braking torque which is a function of the weight of the yarn on the beam and thus diminishes as the yarn is withdrawn.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said rails are upwardly inclined and each rail comprises a pair of spaced oppositely facing U-shaped channels defining a spaced pair of upper supporting surfaces and an open pathway therebetween, and each of said carriers includes a depending guide portion adapted to be positioned in said open pathway and a lower abutment surface adapted to engage said supporting surfaces whereby the weight of a supported beam is transferred from the carriers directly to said channels.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said endless conveyors are connected to the guide portions of the associated carriers such that at least a portion of said conveyors are positioned within the associated pathway.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said endless conveyors each comprise a chain, and a cooperating sprocket is carried adjacent each end of each rail for mounting the associated chain.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said lower abutment surface of each carrier includes a pair of spaced rollers, with one roller adapted to engage each of said supporting surfaces to facilitate movement of the carrier therealong.
 8. A supporting apparatus for a yarn beam or the like characterized as being adapted to apply a braking torque to the axles of a supported beam which is a function of the weight of yarn on the beam such that the tension required to withdraw the yarn from the beam remains substantially constant as the yarn is withdrawn therefrom, said supporting apparatus comprising a structural framework including a pair of spaced parallel rails, and a carrier carried by each of said rails, each of said carriers including an upwardly facing arcuate shoe and an outer arcuate substantially dry leather lining conformingly received in said shoe, said shoes and linings being horizontally aligned such that the axles of a beam may be supported and frictionally engaged thereby.
 9. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said carriers each include an upwardly directed arcuate bracket fixedly secured to said raiLs, and wherein said shoes are releasably secured to their associated brackets by a releasable threaded member such that the shoes and linings may be easily replaced upon the linings becoming worn.
 10. The supporting apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said rails are upwardly inclined and each of said rails includes a rigid outwardly inclined arm defining a V-shaped interconnection, said brackets being fixedly connected to said rails at said interconnection. 